Legacy Leadership: Wisdom Of The Apostle PaulMuestra

Active, not Passive – Part 1

I have worked for several managers who had a very passive approach to their role. This passivity took different forms. Some were what political scientist James David Barber calls “passive-positives.” They enjoyed the position, the title and the privileges they accrued, but they really weren’t engaged in the job. They had a high need for affiliation, wanting to be liked by everyone. But this overriding desire to be liked kept them from tackling tough issues or having necessary, but difficult conversations. The very thought of having to deal with an emotionally intense issue made them physically ill. As a result, they avoided issues, hoping they would go away - which of course never happened. These neglected issues festered like an untended wound, and the resulting explosion was always much worse than it would have been if it had been handled when it first came up.

Another pattern of passivity was demonstrated by an administrator who adopted the philosophy of always waiting for the issue to come to him. Certainly, there are times when leaders need to let issues “ripen” before beginning a change initiative. But as a general rule, this passive and reactive approach to leading is rarely, if ever, effective.

Legacy Leaders are active, not passive. We see this in Paul’s leadership of the Thessalonians. He used the image of a mother nursing her young children to describe the affection and concern he had for his followers. This is an image of tenderness, but it is certainly not passive. Mothers are proactive in meeting the needs of their children.

Paul changes metaphors later in the same passage, using the image of an actively engaged father: 

“ … just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”(1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

 Here, he invokes the image of a loving father who trains, instructs, and responsibly disciplines his children. This training was active, not passive. It involved verbal instruction, as well as, modeling desired behaviors and character traits. Paul uses three words that demonstrate his active and intentional commitment to the development of his followers: exhorting, encouraging, and imploring.  Exhorting is derived from the Greek word “parakaleo,” and means “to call alongside.” Exhorting is a strong positive appeal that directs followers into suitable conduct. Like a coach working alongside an athlete in training, Paul came alongside his spiritual children for the purpose of aiding, developing, and instructing them in their character development.

Encouraging refers to comforting communications designed to cheer up and inspire correct behavior.  It is the compassionate and restorative uplifting that a struggling child needs.  Imploring refers to a solemn request to correct inappropriate or unacceptable behavior.

Tender affection and active engagement are not mutually exclusive. Together they demonstrate the loving concern and commitment of responsible parents and effective leaders. Legacy Leaders are active, not passive.

Reflect and Act on these questions:

• Of the three actions identified in this passage – exhorting, encouraging, imploring – which is easiest for you? Which is the most difficult?
• On a scale of 1 (Not at All) to 5 (Frequently) evaluate yourself on the three dimensions of leadership Paul displayed:
  • Exhorting: “strong positive appeals aimed at directing the followers into suitable conduct.”
  • Encouraging: “comforting communications designed to cheer up and inspire correct behavior.”
  • Imploring: “solemn request to correct inappropriate or unacceptable behavior.”
• What steps do you need to take to balance your leadership and utilize a full-range of leadership tactics?